“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Lord Jesus, what a great verse for focusing and fueling our hearts—whether we’re heading into work or going on retreat, starting a transition or are in the middle of a hard season. We’ll never have too much joy, peace, and hope—especially when this triad of graces finds their meaning and supply in you.
Fill us with joy… because you pray for our joy (Jn.17:13), Jesus, and your joy is our strength (Neh.8:10). The joy of knowing you are with us and for us, and that nothing can separate us from your love. The joy of knowing you love us just as much as Abba, Father loves you—which is without measure, end, wavering, or contingencies.
Fill us with peace… not the peace the world gives, but your peace (Jn.14:27). The peace of knowing God made his peace with us when you cried out from the cross, “It is finished!” The peace that things aren’t just going to be okay, but are going to “rock” beyond all we can ask or imagine. The peace of knowing you are sovereign over the world’s kings, our kids, and every crisis—health, financial, relational.
Fill us with hope… the incomparable hope of the Gospel. If we could see, taste, and smell the future you have secured for us, our fears would shrink and our worries would wilt. We would live missionally and love radically. Jesus, please make “abounding in hope” a reality for us, not just a nice sounding metaphor. Thank you, and So Very Amen.
